DUAL-ANTENNA ARCHITECTURE

Innovative Dual-Antenna Architecture

Synchronous Data Transmission and Reception
Robust Mechanical Assembly
Innovative Dual-Antenna Architecture
The Ubiquiti Networks R&D (Research and Development) team created airFiber for
outdoor PtP (Point-to-Point) bridging and highperformance network backhauls.
The team invented a market-leading, dual-antenna architecture. Each airFiber
unit features a radical departure from industry practice: a one-piece monocoque
molding comprising two complete antenna systems and a mechanical backplane.
Monocoque means that the exterior skin supports the structural load of the airFiber
hardware; this same concept is used to construct lightweight, rigid structures, such
as those used for Formula One race cars. Due to its singlepiece, injection-molded
architecture, airFiber adds lightness in weight and affordability to its list ofadvantages.

Synchronous Data Transmission and Reception

If airFiber had been constructed using conventional methods and individual
mechanical parts, collimation distortion (the two antenna beams being skewed with
respect to one another) would likely have a negative impact on link budgets and
overall system performance. With airFibers innovative, one-piece assembly, the two
antennas can be aimed at exactly the same point in space with a high degree of
accuracy and repeatability.
airFiber features a dual-independent, 2x2 MIMO, high-gain reflector antenna system.
On each airFiber unit, the smaller antenna on the bottom transmits, and the larger
antenna on the top receives. The main lobe of the receiver is more narrow than that
of the transmitter, in both azimuth and elevation, so peak performance requires
precise aiming and fine-tuning of the alignment between the airFiber units during
installation.

airFiber AF24 shown without the radome

Robust Mechanical Assembly

An independent lab has tested the airFiber mechanical assembly to meet
MILSTD810G, a rigorous United States military standard that defines a variety
of challenging environmental conditions. The airFiber mechanical assembly has
also undergone vibration testing using an extended version of IEC6006826, an
environmental standard of the IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission). By
industry standards, the typical test looks for no observable mechanical failures after
3hours of sinusoidal sweeps. The airFiber R&D team set the bar higher for airFiber,
which passed an extended, 3-axis test that ran for 9hours to ensure no mechanical
failures. (Extended 9-hour testing is often done for MIL-STD compliance.)

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